The NC State Wolfpack and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are heading in opposite directions, but with a bye week to regroup from emotional highs and lows, this game has the potential to get weird. Both teams could find themselves distracted—either looking ahead to rivalry games or letting the emotions of their last outings spill over—making it crucial for the coaching staff to keep their players focused.
Whichever team manages its emotions and stays locked in will have the best chance to come out on top Thursday night. Keep reading for our NC State vs. Georgia Tech prediction to see which way we’re leaning.
NC State vs. Georgia Tech Betting Preview
All NC State vs. Georgia Tech odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Georgia Tech -8 - Spread
Georgia Tech -8.5 - Moneyline
Georgia Tech -310, NC State +250 - Over/Under
51 points - Game Time
Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30 ET - Location
Bobby Dodd Stadium | Atlanta - Predicted Weather at Kick
47 degrees, clear, 12 mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN
This season has not gone the way NC State fans expected this year, and the Wolfpack is coming off an ugly showing against the Duke Blue Devils before the bye. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is fresh off a huge upset over the Miami Hurricanes two weeks ago.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The spread here is currently sitting at nine points, the same as it was at release. The total, originally set at 55.4, has been bet down to 51 points. That spread and total imply a final score close to 30-21 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.
NC State’s Winning Probability
CFN’s FPM is closely aligned with Vegas, giving the Wolfpack a 26.6% chance to win Thursday. That translates to a spread of about eight points. The Wolfpack will finish the year on the road against the North Carolina Tar Heels in a game the metric likes as a toss-up.
- at Georgia Tech: 26.6%
- at North Carolina: 50.4%
Georgia Tech’s Winning Probability
Already bowl-eligible, the Yellow Jackets are looking to clinch a winning season before they play their in-state rival Georgia Bulldogs. The Yellow Jackets have a 73.4% chance to win Thursday before a tough game to end the year.
- vs. NC State: 73.4%
- at Georgia: 17.4%
Prediction for NC State vs. Georgia Tech
When I start writing these previews, my first instinct is always to gauge the spread before diving into the advanced stats and matchups. My initial take on this one? I don’t see nearly 10 points of separation between these two teams.
The Yellow Jackets have scraped by in close games, with three of their four conference wins coming by one score. That includes a bizarre victory over North Carolina, where they stumbled into a last-minute touchdown while trying to force overtime.
NC State, on the other hand, hasn’t been its usual sharp self. The Wolfpack has battled through a string of injuries but looked like they were finding their groove—until a stumble against Duke two weeks ago.
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CJ Bailey has been a bright spot for Georgia Tech, flashing elite potential and steadily improving with each game. He’s shown he can dissect weaker defenses, which could be crucial here.
Both teams thrive in close games. The difference? Georgia Tech is 3-1 in one-score contests, while NC State is 2-3. That has me leaning toward the Wolfpack against the spread—but can they pull off the outright win?
There are some intriguing dynamics surrounding NC State. The program isn’t elite but has consistently won 8-9 games in six of the last seven seasons. With whispers around the program about the importance of this final stretch for Dave Doeren’s future, I expect the Wolfpack to step up.
NC State’s defensive front may not be its former dominant self, but it’s still one of the better units Georgia Tech will face this season. That matters because the Yellow Jackets struggle when they can’t control the line of scrimmage.
On the flip side, Georgia Tech’s front four should have the edge against NC State’s offensive line, making this game likely to come down to turnovers and a few big plays. Whichever way those swing could decide the winner.
I’m leaning toward NC State straight up, with Georgia Tech in a potential letdown and look-ahead spot. And no, it’s not just because picking an underdog outright stirs the pot.
That said, I’m not confident enough to bet the moneyline, but I do think the Wolfpack can grind out a low-scoring win at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Prediction: NC State 24, Georgia Tech 22
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